Thread: Getting back on the horse but want advice on new lathe.

Welcome back RumPig .

I went with the GPW Midi when I decided I wanted a smaller lathe for dedicated pen work. I am happy with this lathe, it has been everything I had hoped for.
The standard (belt change model) can be had fairly cheaply, I went with this one and modified it to suit my wants and needs.
Here are some threads that I started to help me with the decision process , and the last one is the modification and build.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

I find the JET a PITA to change belt speeds. I have a Woodfast305 and very happy with it, although I did eventually fit a VSD conversion from USA, and have a half bed extension that also enables me to do pepper grinders. If you can afford it recommend the variable speed model. I cart mine around Aus (I haven't made it back to Darwin yet) on a trolley in the trailer for all the Turnabouts

I have the Jet mini, and am very happy with it. I don't find the pulley changing to be much of an issue.

Another thought that might help.
My lathe has a spindle thread 30x3.5 what is the equivalent in imperial?
I would like it if I did not have to buy new chucks etc.
*#*# Forget that I forgot they have inserts, It has been awhile

Thanks Ironwood.
Some interesting reading there. GPW is out of stock and does not have a price listed.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

Welcome back RumPig .

I went with the GPW Midi when I decided I wanted a smaller lathe for dedicated pen work. I am happy with this lathe, it has been everything I had hoped for.
The standard (belt change model) can be had fairly cheaply, I went with this one and modified it to suit my wants and needs.
Here are some threads that I started to help me with the decision process , and the last one is the modification and build.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...light=gpw+midi

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

Another thought that might help.
My lathe has a spindle thread 30x3.5 what is the equivalent in imperial?
I would like it if I did not have to buy new chucks etc.
*#*# Forget that I forgot they have inserts, It has been awhile

There is no equivalent imperial thread, just different threads. An advantage of the Woodfast, it is a 30x3.5 spindle

Oh well that adds a new twist (ha pun intended).
Thanks Dai sensei

Originally Posted by dai sensei

There is no equivalent imperial thread, just different threads. An advantage of the Woodfast, it is a 30x3.5 spindle

Just had a look and whilst it is a bit bigger it is still under budget.

Is Woodfast now owned by Carbatec?
When I looked at the spec that is what they have as the brand.

Go with the Woodfast....sold here in the US under the Rikon name.
I sell wood working machines at WoodCraft USA, and for the money, the Rikon/Woodfast is the best bet all the way around.
Its quality it better than the Jet, less plastic...not the prettiest machine, but sturdy, well designed and well built.
We sell more of the Rikon 70-100VS/WoodFast M 305 by a large margin than any other midi or mini lathe.

Woodfast is the leader now, as the convenience of being able to use all my gear on either lathe is very appealing.

I am intrigued by the Carbatec economy mini lathe for the school as they are nice and light that they can be put away in the store room and do not need a dedicated space if the pen turning thing stays part of there course.
Has anyone had anything to do with them?

I don't think you can go wrong with the Woodfast. I remember it got plenty of positive comments when I was researching my buy.

I read most of your post and I did not see a bad word against them except from Vicmarc owners, but they are feeding from the top of the tree LOL.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I don't think you can go wrong with the Woodfast. I remember it got plenty of positive comments when I was researching my buy.

I like my General International 25-114QC.

Les

cant complain about my cheap carbatec lathe , i have been using it for quite a few years and made a few thousand pens i have replaced the little belt twice in that time . also made a some bowls and a few other small turnings it is easy to stall on large diameter work but with kids that would be a saftey feature .
i stalled mine once when the chuck grabbed my shirt sleeve glad it wasnt my big lathe or worse my metal lathe .
anyway yes the lathe is cheap but i have had plenty of value for money out of mine it has paid for its self 50 times over in pen sales .

johno